"I am the personal disciple of the Third Raikage. I earned the title by paying one billion taels in military bonds and offering the Hidden Cloud Village a full strategic blueprint for chakra-based firearms—enough to give Kumo the strength to dominate the ninja world."
Tamura Hao didn't bother concealing anything. He openly stated the truth behind his apprenticeship.
Unlike others, Black Zetsu had a singular obsession: reviving Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. He had no interest in the ordinary conflicts or shifting power balances of the ninja world.
Through Kaguya's phantom residue—a mental imprint that Tamura could perceive—they were already tied by fate. As long as Hao and Kumogakure aided in Kaguya's resurrection, Black Zetsu wouldn't mind empowering the Hidden Cloud. He had done the same with Akatsuki in the manga timeline.
"One billion taels? You bought it?"
Black Zetsu was genuinely taken aback. Since when could a Raikage's disciple position be purchased? This younger brother of his had more influence than expected.
Still, his interest quickly shifted to the so-called "firearms plan." That was clearly the key.
"What exactly is this firearms plan?"
Tamura Hao raised his hand and explained, "It's based on the same principle as fireworks. You take an iron barrel, insert a detonating tag at the rear, place a forged metal projectile in front, and use the tag's explosive force to launch the projectile. With enough speed and force, even a Kage-level shinobi can be injured—or killed.
What makes this revolutionary is its scalability. It can be mass-produced, and its usage requires only basic chakra control to activate the detonating tag. We're building an army of shinobi equipped with modernized ninja weapons—cheap, deadly, and easy to train. That's how you sweep the world."
Tamura leaned in, his tone growing darker. "The reason for attacking the Uzumaki clan isn't just to seize their sealing jutsu. It's to integrate their Fūinjutsu with our weapons—enhancing projectiles with elemental chakra. Wind Release for velocity, Lightning Release for piercing, Earth Release for impact, and Fire Release for explosive damage."
He was completely transparent. Black Zetsu would've learned all of this sooner or later—there was no need to pretend.
Black Zetsu quietly evaluated the possibilities. He thought of the White Zetsu army, which Kaguya had created from the humans trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi. While individually weak, equipping them with these weapons could make them formidable.
Kaguya had always feared the arrival of other Ōtsutsuki, which was why she created the army in the first place. Enhancing it was essential.
"This... isn't bad."
Black Zetsu approved. This so-called "younger brother" might actually be useful.
"My original goal was to unite the shinobi world, end the endless wars, and build a new order—a flawless empire. But now, it seems there are too many enemies in the shadows."
Tamura Hao's gaze sharpened. His voice echoed with purpose. He modeled his persona after tragic antiheroes from Earth's movies—men who burned with conviction even if it meant rewriting the world.
"Let's list our enemies," he said. "The four other great villages, obviously. Especially Konoha."
He began counting on his fingers. "Then there's the Sage of Six Paths and his brother. No one knows where they're hiding—if they're even alive in some form."
He glanced at Black Zetsu. "Then you mentioned your sister's clan. The Ōtsutsuki. Isshiki clearly isn't the only one. There may be others watching from afar, waiting to invade."
Tamura paused and gave Black Zetsu the floor.
Black Zetsu added with a frown, "The Three Great Sage Realms—Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest—should also be counted as enemies. Especially the toads of Mount Myōboku. They've assisted the Sage before."
His voice dropped. "But more importantly, if the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan succeeds and the God Tree blooms again, the coordinates will become visible to the Ōtsutsuki across dimensions. That will signal our world is ripe—and they will come."
The God Tree was, after all, their spatial anchor. Through it, they navigated and harvested worlds.
Tamura Hao nodded, voice grim. "Then we'll need overwhelming power. Not just to revive my sister—but to protect her."
He spoke of Kaguya again as his sister—fervently, obsessively. A deep-rooted attachment, bordering on possessive love.
Black Zetsu was pleased. This "younger brother" seemed far more reliable than those two traitors—Hagoromo and Hamura.
"Mother doesn't need protecting," Black Zetsu said confidently. "She's invincible. Once released, she can defeat any enemy."
Tamura scoffed, shaking his head. "According to your own story, the Sage of Six Paths and his brother were weaker, but still defeated her—and sealed her completely. She even lost her chakra to them.
Clearly, she isn't a warrior by nature. She lacks battle instincts. You, born from her will, likely inherited that weakness. Which means I'll be the one protecting her."
There was silence. Then Black Zetsu murmured, "…She wasn't good at combat." He had to admit it. Kaguya was powerful, but her awareness in battle was lacking. That's how she was sealed.
"I see the situation clearly now," Tamura Hao said flatly. "Your entire plan is exposed.
Even if Uchiha Madara does awaken the Rinnegan, who's to say the Sage of Six Paths isn't secretly manipulating everything? If we rely on Madara to revive Kaguya, the Sage may simply seal her again—or worse, use her chakra to transcend her level."
His eyes narrowed. "He may even be luring the Ōtsutsuki here deliberately. To hunt and absorb them. We must establish an alternate plan—operate in parallel. Let your current plan draw attention, while I build a hidden one."
"Fine by me. I don't need your help anyway," Black Zetsu replied, unconcerned. His scheme revolved around Madara's awakening and the Moon's Eye Plan. A backup plan would only raise the odds of success.
"I'll need detailed intel on all five Great Nations," Tamura said. "Especially Konohagakure. Information not available in the public record."
Without a word, Black Zetsu cast a genjutsu, transferring centuries of gathered intelligence into Tamura Hao's mind.
"…Reincarnation. Summoning the dead…"
Tamura Hao's expression grew thoughtful. According to the intel, Tobirama Senju had already completed the framework of Edo Tensei before his death. What remained were refinements and moral constraints.
"The First Hokage—reincarnation of Asura's chakra. The Senju are direct descendants of the Sage. He captured all nine tailed beasts and distributed them to balance power among the villages. His wife, Mito Uzumaki, became the first Nine-Tails jinchūriki. The Second Hokage created Edo Tensei. You nudged Uchiha Madara toward the Rinnegan.
And now, all the pieces are in place."
He turned to Black Zetsu. "Tell me that's all a coincidence."
Black Zetsu was silent.
Tamura continued. "If Konoha masters Edo Tensei and unleashes past Kage, especially the First Hokage, we'll be fighting both the living and the dead."
He smiled faintly. "And I think I've figured out where the Sage of Six Paths is hiding. It must be the Pure Land."
After all, during the Fourth Great War, the Sage summoned the dead Kage from the afterlife—a feat only possible if he was operating from the other side.
Black Zetsu felt a cold chill. His plan, so carefully designed, now seemed full of cracks.
"If he's a hunter lying in wait, then he'll never appear directly. He'll act through his sons—just like before."
Tamura Hao folded his arms. "You said Indra and Asura's chakra reincarnates cyclically. If the next round begins too soon, it means the Sage has already prepared the game board. He's waiting for us to fall in."
He glanced at Black Zetsu. "Especially Indra's line—those with the Sharingan. Mangekyō alone won't do. You'll need an Eternal Mangekyō, like Madara's. That requires another Uchiha with elite genetics—and loyalty."
Tamura's final hint was clear: the Uchiha clan needed watching. If the timeline moved too fast, it was a sign that the Sage was already acting.
"I'll monitor the Uchiha," Black Zetsu muttered. His anxiety deepened. But inwardly, he was thankful for this younger brother.
Without him, this might not be a rescue mission—but a trap.
Hagoromo and Hamura… despicable as ever.